# How to Connect to Your ARK: Survival Ascended Server (/docs/ark-survival-ascended/connect-to-your-server)







Here's how to find your server's IP address and connect to your ARK: Survival Ascended server. You can join via the in-game server browser, Steam server browser, or direct connect.

Finding Your Server IP [#finding-your-server-ip]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your ARK: Survival Ascended server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Locate your IP address [#2-locate-your-ip-address]

    Your server IP address and port are displayed on the **Dashboard** (e.g., `198.137.23.46:7777`). The default game port is **7777** and the default query port is **27015**.

    > 💡 **Tip:** Click the IP address to copy it to your clipboard. You'll need the IP and port to connect directly.
  </div>
</div>

Connecting via the In-Game Server Browser [#connecting-via-the-in-game-server-browser]

From the main menu, click **Join Game**:

<img alt="ARK SA main menu" src={__img0} placeholder="blur" />

Switch to the **Unofficial** tab to find your server:

<img alt="Server browser — Unofficial tab" src={__img1} placeholder="blur" />

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  <div className="fd-step">
    Launch ARK: Survival Ascended [#1-launch-ark-survival-ascended]

    Open ARK: Survival Ascended from Steam or the Epic Games Store.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the server browser [#2-open-the-server-browser]

    From the main menu, click **Join Game** to open the server browser.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Filter for your server [#3-filter-for-your-server]

    Use the filters to narrow down the server list:

    * Set the **Session Filter** to **Unofficial** (XGamingServer instances appear here, not under Official)
    * Use the search bar to search by your [server name](/docs/ark-survival-ascended/change-server-name)
    * Filter by map if you know which map your server is running
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Join the server [#4-join-the-server]

    Select your server from the list and click **Join**. If the server has a [password](/docs/ark-survival-ascended/set-a-password), you'll be prompted to enter it.
  </div>
</div>

Direct Connect via Steam [#direct-connect-via-steam]

If your server doesn't appear in the in-game browser, you can connect through Steam:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Steam [#1-open-steam]

    Open the Steam client on your PC.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the server browser [#2-open-the-server-browser-1]

    Go to **View** → **Game Servers** (or press `Ctrl+Shift+S`).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Add your server [#3-add-your-server]

    Click the **Favorites** tab, then click **Add a Server**. Enter your server's IP address and query port in the format:

    ```
    198.137.23.46:27015
    ```

    > 📝 **Note:** Use the **query port** (default 27015) when adding to Steam favorites, not the game port (7777). The query port is what Steam uses to communicate with the server browser.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect [#4-connect]

    After adding the server, select it and click **Connect**. Steam will launch ARK:SA and connect you to the server.
  </div>
</div>

Connection Information [#connection-information]

| Port       | Default | Purpose                            |
| ---------- | ------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Game Port  | 7777    | Main game connection port (UDP)    |
| Query Port | 27015   | Steam server browser queries (UDP) |

Both ports are shown on the **Network** tab in the XGamingServer panel sidebar.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues [#troubleshooting-connection-issues]

If you can't find or connect to your server:

* **Server not appearing in the browser** — ARK:SA servers can take several minutes to start up, especially after a fresh install or map change. Check the **Console** in the XGamingServer panel to see if the server has finished loading. Look for messages indicating the server is ready to accept connections.
* **"Connection timeout"** — Verify the IP address and port are correct. Try restarting both the server and your game client.
* **"Version mismatch"** — Your game client and server are on different versions. Make sure both are updated to the latest version. The server updates automatically on restart.
* **"Server is full"** — The server has reached its [max player](/docs/ark-survival-ascended/max-players) limit. Wait for a slot to open or ask an admin to increase the limit.
* **Password prompt** — The server has a [password](/docs/ark-survival-ascended/set-a-password) set. Contact the server owner for the password.
* **Mods downloading** — If the server runs [mods](/docs/ark-survival-ascended/installing-mods), your client needs to download them first. This can take a while for large mod packs.

Sharing Your Server [#sharing-your-server]

To let others join your server, share the following information:

* **Server name** — So they can search for it in the browser
* **IP and game port** — For direct connect (e.g., `198.137.23.46:7777`)
* **Password** — If your server is password-protected
* **Required mods** — Players need the same mods installed to connect

> 💡 **Tip:** After joining once, players can add your server to their **Favorites** in the server browser by clicking the star icon. This makes it easy to find your server next time without searching.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).